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White Sands Missile Range Home To U.S. Army’s Largest Solar Power System

Today the U.S. Army dedicated the U.S. Army’s largest solar photovoltaic (PV) system at White Sands Missile Range. The ceremony was led by Brigadier General Gwen Bingham, who was joined by the Honorable Katherine Hammack, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment.

Developed in coordination with the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville (Huntsville Center), Siemens Government Technologies, Inc. and Bostonia, the four megawatt White Sands Missile Range solar energy system will generate approximately 10 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually, and provide an estimated annual savings of $930,000. Complemented by a 375 kW solar carport, the solar array deployed at White Sands will supply approximately 10 percent of the total power used at the installation and reduce carbon emissions by 7,400 tons per year. Featuring Solaria's proprietary technology, the 4.1 MW ground-mounted tracking system is also the world's largest low concentration photovoltaic solar power plant.

“This is an exciting project for the U.S. Army,” said Garrison Commander Colonel Leo Pullar. “A sunny location like New Mexico provides an ideal site for solar power. This project illustrates the U.S. Army’s commitment to going green, our focus on operating on net zero energy, and doing what we can to help protect the environment.”

“We are very pleased to be inaugurating this milestone photovoltaic installation,” said Will Irby, Huntsville Center program manager. “We’re extremely grateful to the entire team, comprised of the staff from White Sands Missile Range, Huntsville Center, Siemens, their subcontractor Solaria Corporation and Bostonia, working under the leadership of Brigadier General Gwen Bingham and Colonel Leo Pullar. Everyone has done an outstanding job to bring this project to fruition.”

“Siemens is committed to helping the Department of Defense achieve unprecedented levels of energy efficiency, security and independence,” said Judy Marks, president and CEO of Siemens Government Technologies, Inc. “Through this Energy Savings Performance Contract, the value of sustainability is measured not just in terms of financial benefits, but benefits to maintaining mission readiness, and the preservation of options for the Army's future.”